With the holiday period well underway in Brussels, multiple organisations offer the opportunity for residents to give back to the community.
The Brussels Times compiled a list of initiatives in the capital which could use a little help, either during the Christmas period or also throughout the new year.
Serve the City
As the name suggests, this organisation helps volunteers to find opportunities to 'serve' the city. Their activities aim to help vulnerable parts of society, including asylum seekers or people with disabilities.
Volunteers can help in several ways but the organisation has three main activities that will require assistance.
First is Lunch4All, where volunteers can help prepare lunch bags at the Humanitarian Hub in Brussels between 11:00 to 13:30. These will be distributed to refugees, asylum seekers, and the homeless.
Serve the City volunteers handing out food and warm drinks to those waiting in line. Credit: Lauren Walker / The Brussels Times
The Community Kitchen in Ixelles also welcomes volunteers everyday between 09:00 and 12:00 or 12:00 and 16:00. They can help cook and prepare meals which will later be served to people without a home.
The Solidarity Breakfast asks volunteers to help distribute tea, coffee and sandwiches to people queuing at the registration office for asylum seekers at Rue Belliard. Shifts are open from Monday to Thursday between 07:30 and 08:45.
More information about the activities and how to sign up can be found on their app.
Help Animals
Giving back to the local community isn't just about the people. Help Animals operates three animal shelters and is dedicated to animal welfare and guaranteeing the safety of the more vulnerable or neglected pets.
The organisation prefers volunteers who are willing to help on a more regular basis. Those interested in starting the new year with a longer-term commitment to help can sign up through an online form.
Credit: Facebook/Help Animals.
But there are still other ways to show support; the organisation welcomes donations including pet food, treats or toys throughout the year.
You can also sponsor an animal through a monthly donation while they wait to be adopted. In return, Help Animals will send you photos (and a Christmas card) of the pet you are sponsoring and will let you know once it has found a new home.
Opération Thermos
'Opération Thermos' distributes hot meals to those in need at the Botanique metro station and also operates a food bank at the Grand Hospice. In addition to the meals, the non-profit collects donations of items such as clothing or hygiene products.
While they are fully equipped with a team of volunteers for Christmas and New Year's Eve, space is still available for those who want to help in the kitchen on 1 January between 16:00 and 22:00 or 19:00 and 21:00.
Volunteers of 'Opération Thermos' on Christmas day 2022. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck.
The organisation also welcomes donations every day from 19:00 to 20:30 at the Botanique metro station. They are currently looking for gloves, hats, scarves, blankets, sleeping bags, and hygiene products like soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant.
For more information, email benevole@operationthermos.be.
The Samaritans
The non-profit 'The Samaritans' focuses on providing meals and distributing donated items to those facing financial hardships and those without a home in the city.
The organisation will highlight Christmas eve and New Years eve by providing a hot meal to those in need. As well as providing food on 24 December, the team of volunteers will also distribute warm clothing they received via donations. On 31 December, volunteers will provide a 'festive meal' to 150 people.
Credit: Facebook/The Samaritans.
While the team of volunteers is already at capacity this year for both days, you can find out more about the organisation online.
